AFCON Round-up

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984 Credit: PIxabay

The 2023 AFCON tournament kicked off in the capital Abijan at the weekend when hosts Cote D’Ivoire cruised to a 2-0 victory against fellow West Africans Guinea-Bissau.

Al Nassr midfielder Seko Fofana scored the tournament's opening goal with Red Star attacker Jean Phillippe Krasso doubling the Elephant's lead midway through the second half.

The following day in the other game of Group A Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea played out a 1-1 draw. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen levelled the game for the Super Eagles two minutes after Ivan Salvador put Equatorial Guinea in front.

In the second set of fixtures on Thursday, Nigeria beat the host nation 1-0 while Equatorial Guinea defeated Guinea-Bissau 4-2.

Group B

It took a 97th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot from Mo Salah to rescue a point for seven-time champions Egypt as they faced off against Mozambique.

Elsewhere Shamrock Rovers’ Pico Lopez played his part in a famous night for Cape Verde as they beat one of the tournament favourites Ghana 2-1 courtesy of a late winner from Garry Rodrigues. The result heaped pressure on former Ireland international Chris Hughton who was on the receiving end of an attack from an infuriated supporter at the team hotel.

Group C

Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by a dogged 10-man Guinea. Le Havre forward Mohammed Bayo had given Guinea a shock early lead before captain Francois Kamano was sent off late in the first half. The Lions equalised early in the second half but could not find a winner.



Earlier that day defending champions Senegal defeated Gambia 3-0 to sit atop Group C.

Group D

Algeria were left frustrated despite dominating Anglola in their opening group game in Bouaké, the country's second city. Despite having 67% possession and more the double the goal attempts, the Greens were left no choice but to leave with a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere Aston Villa’s out-of-favour winger Bertrand Traoré scored a 96th-minute winner from the penalty spot as Burkina Faso overcame Mauritania.

Group E



In Group E Tunisia fell to a 1-0 defeat to Namibia. The Brave Warriors are hoping for their best-ever AFCON performance having failed to get past the group stages in what is now their fourth finals appearance. In the other Group E game, Mali cruised to a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

In the final two games of the first round of fixtures, DR Congo was held to a 1-1 draw with Zambia. The Leopards were left visibly frustrated having to come from behind despite registering 25 shots on goal.

Meanwhile, competition favourites Morocco strolled to victory over 10-man Tanzania. The World Cup semi -finalists toyed with their opponents, never really getting out of first gear.

Round 1 results

Group A

Ivory Coast 2 -0 Guinea Bissau

Nigeria 1-1  Equatorial Guinea

Group B

Egypt 2-2 Mozambique

Cape Verde 2-1 Ghana

Group C

Senegal 3-0 Gambia

Cameroon 1-1 Guinea

Group D

Algeria 1-1 Angola

Burkina Faso 1-0 Mauritania

Group E

Namibia 1-0 Tunisia

Mali 2-0 South Africa

Group F

Morocco 3-0 Tanzania

DR Congo  1-1 Zambia

 

Round 2 results (to date)

Group A

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria

Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau

 

Group B

Egypt 2-2 Ghana

Additional reporting by Macdara Ferris

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